Clay Golem

Jodun was highly efficient; by the next day, he had delivered the materials Su Nan needed.

Su Nan immediately instructed workers to transport the materials to the makeshift laboratory, where he began preparations to create the first golem puppet.

The primary material for the clay golem is clay.

Clay is a type of soil with high plasticity, low sand content, and moisture resistance.

To craft a clay golem, approximately 0.5 tons of clay are needed, along with small amounts of silver, crystal, and most importantly, a soul core.

The lowest-grade clay golems can use gemstones as a soul core, though these golems have very low intelligence and are only suitable for simple tasks.

Tasks such as cleaning an area, carrying items, or hammering.

In his previous life, Su Nan had created numerous clay golems. Revisiting the task now, he quickly regained his proficiency.

After more than half an hour, a clay body about two and a half meters tall had been assembled on the spacious worktable.

Its facial features were square-like, lacking a neck, with a broad and robust chest. Its thick arms attached to the shoulders hung down to its knees. The fingers were short and thick but relatively nimble. The legs were only one-third the length of the body, with broad and flat feet.

The chest of the clay golem was still open, revealing a complex array of enchanted runes inside.

Su Nan placed a rune-engraved gemstone inside, sealed the slot, and began chanting a spell.

The final step in crafting a golem is to animate it, granting it life.

With the incantation, the surrounding energy particles suddenly became active, quickly gathering from all directions, rushing into the clay golem’s body.

Elemental magic from the geolines began to flow in as well.

With the infusion of energy, the clay golem’s body underwent a transformation, a vitality distinct from flesh and blood began to develop and grow within the clay body.

The entire process lasted over ten minutes.

Gradually, the magic waned, and the energy particles calmed.

Rustle!

The clay golem on the worktable suddenly moved, its massive body sat up, with its stiff, expressionless face staring blankly at Su Nan.

“Done.”

Su Nan appeared joyed, pointed to a nearby box, and gave an order.

“Move the box outside.”

“Yes, master.”

The clay golem responded in a low voice, jumping to the ground with a dull thud.

Its movements were slightly cumbersome, but soon it adapted, effortlessly moving the heavy box outside.

Su Nan nodded silently.

Clay golems are excellent laborers, requiring minimal energy.

Once charged, they can work continuously for four to five days.

When their energy runs low, they can quickly recharge by entering a geolines connection array.

They’re the best beasts of burden!

“The most expensive material for making a clay golem is the gemstone, while the clay, minimal silver, brass, and crystal are relatively inexpensive.”

“The cost of crafting a clay golem is only about a dozen gold coins. In the long run, it’s cheaper and more efficient than hiring workers.”

Su Nan immediately decided that in the next two days, he would create ten clay golems at once to complete the base construction as soon as possible.

As for the iron golems, they would have to wait until the puppet factory was established before manufacturing.

After all, metal golems require higher craftsmanship and equipment standards.

Unlike clay golems, which only need a makeshift workstation for creation.

Time flew by, entering the Month of Revival.

Snow melted, and the fields brimmed with vibrant signs of spring.

With ten clay golems employed in the construction project, the pace of base building surged incredibly.

Heavy stones, which need several workers to move, could be transported by a single clay golem, leaving the illiterate workers awestruck.

Brother Ke Yi visited multiple times, and upon witnessing the clay golems at work, his eyes lit up.

“These things are natural logistics troops!”

Brother Ke Yi immediately conceived the idea of forming a clay golem logistics unit.

Even upon learning that the cost of creating a clay golem was over a dozen gold coins, he remained undeterred.

“These things might be expensive, but they don’t cost as much as the Black Rock Cavalry Regiment. However, they significantly enhance wartime logistical capabilities.”

“If we use these to form a logistics unit, the logistical pressure during war would be greatly alleviated!”

Unable to refuse Brother Ke Yi’s persuasion, Su Nan had to agree to supply him with a batch of clay golems after meeting the base’s manpower needs.

It’s worth mentioning that after reclaiming the Shining Lands, with a marked increase in territory revenue, Brother Ke Yi immediately halted the export of Blackstone Iron.

Blackstone Iron produced in Blackstone Mine was henceforth reserved for the Shining Lands, to arm troops and expand the Black Rock Cavalry Regiment.

Expanding military power remains the primary concern for the current Shining Lands.

After all, a watchful Marquis Jin Yan still lurks nearby.

Moreover, to expand the Black Rock Cavalry Regiment, the immediate challenge was the inadequate supply of sub-dragon blood potion.

Currently, the Shining Lands only has seventy-odd Black-scaled Lizardmen captives, with limited monthly blood extraction.

The ultimately produced sub-dragon blood potion is far insufficient to support the rapid expansion of the Black Rock Cavalry Regiment.

Brother Ke Yi has been quite troubled by this issue, consulting Su Nan multiple times.

Regarding this, Su Nan has considered several solutions.

For instance, extracting blood from Hidden Dragon.

Hidden Dragon’s bloodline concentration is far superior to ordinary Black-scaled Lizardmen.

Alone, it could yield more blood materials per month than all the captive Black-scaled Lizardmen combined.

However, after careful consideration, Su Nan ultimately dismissed this idea.

Consistently extracting blood from Hidden Dragon would significantly reduce the pace of its bloodline concentration enhancement.

This was unacceptable to Su Nan.

Assisting in strengthening the territory is important, but advancing his own power is equally crucial.

Hoch’s appearance served as a wake-up call.

Although the current Starlight Continent is an elemental desert, hidden powerhouses still exist.

Dealing with someone barely like a One-Ring Legendary Knight such as Hoch forced Su Nan to expend nearly thirty rune gemstones. If faced with even stronger foes, escaping might become an unreachable luxury.

So, for his own safety consideration, improving his strength must never slow down!

After much deliberation, Su Nan finally devised a feasible plan.

This was to find a substitute for the sub-dragon blood potion!

Considering the Black Rock Cavalry Regiment’s further expansion in the future, this substitute must be capable of mass production and be cost-effective.

This ruled out potions.

After much thought, Su Nan finally focused on magical plants.

Although his memory lacked a plant that matched his criteria, it didn’t matter. If it didn’t exist, he could cultivate it himself.

With the Synthesis Cube in hand, he naturally had a greater advantage in cultivating new magical plants than other wizard apprentices.

“I have some ideas about the potion situation. Give me some time, and I’ll find a solution,” Su Nan said.

Brother Ke Yi deeply trusted his younger brother. Upon hearing this, he visibly relaxed.

Then, Brother Ke Yi suddenly remembered something and asked Su Nan, “Earlier, you mentioned recruiting apprentices from the territory. What’s that about?”

“Once my construction here is complete, many places will require specialized personnel for maintenance. I plan to train them myself and, in the process, see if I can discover potential wizard apprentices,” Su Nan replied.

Hearing the latter part, Brother Ke Yi’s spirits immediately lifted.

It was only because Su Nan, a wizard apprentice, was present in Blackstone City that it could rapidly grow strong and eventually reclaim the Shining Lands.

The facts had already demonstrated the importance of a wizard apprentice to the development of a territory.

If several more wizard apprentices emerged within the territory, it would be immensely beneficial!

With this thought, Brother Ke Yi promptly assured Su Nan, pounding his chest with confidence, promising to handle the matter beautifully.